I don’t want to go on the record saying this, but it’s possible—very possible—that I once was sent to school with a cream cheese and jelly sandwich.

Sure, there are people in this world who eat cream cheese and jelly sandwiches. I’m not one of them. And the idea that I was once sent to school with one fills me with revulsion and contempt. And yet: what’s so wrong with cream cheese and jelly together?

When I think “cream cheese” I think “bagel.” Which is why, when BlogHer asked me to develop cream cheese recipes for Philadelphia cream cheese’s “Real Women of Philadelphia” campaign, my immediate thought was: “How can I riff on my favorite food of all time—ok, second favorite food next to pasta—a bagel with lox and cream cheese?”